[TenTec] "Remember, it's a computer."

[Ken Brown]

Hi all,

First of all I would like to apologize to those who are annoyed by this 
discussion, which has centered on reliability of computors running 
windows. While it is not about Ten-Tec radios, I think anyone can see 
how it relates when more and more of the functions in newer radios are 
totally dependant on microprocessors and the firmware running on them.

Now back to the windows reliability issue... The latest computer I have 
here at home is exactly as delivered by Dell, with just one addition, an 
ethernet card that allows me to connect it to the DSL modem I connect to 
the outside world with. I have loaded two software packages via CD ROM 
disks. One is the driver to run HP 600 series Officejet print, fax, 
scanner. Without this software the Windows NT software package that came 
with the computer will not print in color. Nice feature huh? Also I have 
loaded EZNEC. Some things have been downloaded from the net, netscape, 
some instant messengers, real player. That kind of thing. When the 
computer has locked up none of those programs (except netscape) were in 
use, though I cannot say that they were not running, I admit that I do 
not really know how to tell for sure what is "running" or "loaded" or 
whatever. So my question is, given all of the above, what is you best 
guess as to what causes this system to occasionally lock up?

Still not ready for takeoff, even with a parachute.

Ken N6KB

Jeff Modlin wrote:

>Indirectly, I think Ken makes a very valid point.  Just like anything
>else, when computers are not maintained their reliability suffers.
>Additional contributing factors are the quality of the components that
>go in the box.  Mismatched memory and bargain basement or older
>technology found in some audio and video cards do not help the cause
>either. Just like children, a lot of components will play together but
>just do not play well together. 
>
>Personally I've found adding software that molests the OS has been the
>major cause of lock-ups. The machines appear to stay up forever when
>most all of these things are removed or better yet, never installed.
>I've found this true in most all the flavors of Windows.  Right now my
>network has 2-Me machines, 2-Win2000 machines and an XP machine on it.
>Even the Me machines have proven to be very robust with a minimum of
>additional software installed.  Maybe that's why Sun/Unix systems and
>corporate Windows NT/2000/XpPRO systems are so reliable.  Could it be
>that limiting the installed software by OS, hardware design or an IT
>department, keeps the system clean enough to avoid lock-ups?  Sun, HP
>and the like had realized this by making their version of Unix unique,
>Microsoft the same by insisting that software followed a different set
>of rules to run under NT.
>
>All of this being said even the best servers running the best software
>using the cleanest power on the planet will still need to be reset,
>restarted or repaired occasionally. So, my expectation is that any
>microprocessor driven piece of equipment will require the same. The
>frequency of the resets will probably be proportional to the quality of
>the components and design (VIVA Ten-Tec).  
>
>Maybe we should differentiate between computer (seems like we all are
>assuming PC) technology and embedded systems when talking about radios
>(Pegasus and the like naturally excluded)?
>
>73 de Jeffrey Modlin
>KD4ZNC in Coral Springs, Florida USA
>E-mail:  KD4ZNC at arrl.net
>Coordinates: 26° 14' 30'' N,    80° 15' 28'' W
>Grid: EL96uf
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com
>[mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ken Brown
>Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 3:24 AM
>To: tentec at contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TenTec] "Remember, it's a computer."
>
>David,
>
>I do not claim to be "computer literate" enough, or knowlegable enough 
>of computers to be able to determine what part of the system, software 
>or hardware is at fault. What I can tell you is that in my experience 
>with my own computers at home, they lock up and will not respond to any 
>keyboard or mouse input from time to time for now apparent reason. The 
>computers that I use at work are much more reliable, and they are part 
>of a network that is maintained by people whose job it is to keep the 
>network working.
>
>If my home computer was an airplane, I would not go up in it. If the 
>computer at work was an airplane, I might go up in it, if the network 
>administrator came along, and even then I would have a parachute 
>strapped on before takeoff.
>
>Ken
>
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